Recent estimates suggest that about 100,000 youth on the autism spectrum turn 18 years old each year. As they transition to adulthood, they offer myriad strengths to potential employers, yet face unique challenges in entering the labor force. Moving the needle on employment outcomes for young adults on the autism spectrum requires greater recognition of their contributions as well as more evidence on a diverse array of approaches and input from a wide range of stakeholders.
To fill this evidence gap, the Office of Disability Employment Policy within the U.S. Department of Labor partnered with Mathematica to lead the Research Support Services for Employment of Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum (REYAAS) project. The project will explore issues of equity and intersectionality to gain new insights into employment challenges and solutions for young adults on the autism spectrum. Learn more about REYAAS in this fact sheet.
Several new resources from the project are now available. These resources include valuable insights from young adults on the autism spectrum about their employment experience, information about transition activities and evidence of their effectiveness, and an inventory of data sources that include employment-related information for young adults on the autism spectrum. Check them out below.
LISTENING SESSIONS
Barriers and Facilitators to Employment and Careers for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Summary of Listening Sessions with Young Adults and Other Stakeholders
The project team gathered personal experiences and perspectives from young adults on the autism spectrum, their families, employers, advocacy organizations, educators, and direct service providers to gain a greater understanding of the factors that influence the employment experience of young adults on the autism spectrum, and the implementation of related policies and programs.
LITERATURE REVIEWS
Programs, Models, and Strategies to Support Employment Outcomes of Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: A Review of the Literature
This literature review describes the range of programs, models, and strategies that have been implemented to support the transition to competitive integrated employment for young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism. It also identifies the funding sources supporting this work and the extent to which the existing programs address disparities in outcomes for young adults based on gender, race, and ethnicity.
Evidence on the Effectiveness of Programs, Models, and Strategies to Support Employment Outcomes of Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: A Review of the Literature
This literature review summarizes the evidence on the effectiveness of the approaches used to support the transition to competitive integrated employment for young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism. It also provides an assessment on whether that evidence is growing, lacking, consistent, or divergent.
DATA INVENTORY BRIEF
Sources of Data on Employment Outcomes for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum
This brief presents an inventory of 11 data sets that include employment-related information for young adults on the autism spectrum, including both administrative and survey data sources.
Learn more about this project and find all of these resources by visiting the project web page. For questions about REYAAS, email us at reyaas@mathematica-mpr.com.
Contact
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Christal Stone Valenzano
cstone@mathematica-mpr.com
202-250-3520
